Coming January 2008

Coming in January 2008 we will have even MORE great training information, drills, information and workouts for athletes and coaches! Stay tuned!

Strange, yet effective drill combinations (wood chops and hopscotch)

To be a good athlete, you must be flexible in your approach to training. Be willing to experiment with drills, and exercises to see what works for you---even if your combinations seems strange!

For example, combine the use of upper body cable rotations with lower body hopscotches through a ladder. You go from an upper body rotational movement, to a lower body quickfoot action.

Check it out in video below:

Perform about 4 total sets of this drill, with one set being the rotational wood chop and hopscotch done right each other.

Speed Chutes for athletes

Speed parachutes are used as a form of resistance training for athletes who are looking to increase speed, acceleration, and conditioning.

Chutes allow for natural resistance as air enters them and the athlete sprints (they can be used while moving both forwards and backwards!).

The chutes are applicable for many sports, and have also found their way onto the ice for hockey players. Here are some great parachute training tips for athletes:

• Perform chute sprints at medium distances---usually 20-40 yards.
• Set up cone configurations and weave sprint patterns
• Backwards runs are great with the chute!
• Always allow for maximum recovery between sprint sets (60-90 seconds) for maximum effectiveness

Chutes and other great training tools are available at http://www.propowertraining.com/.

Dynaminc Stretch and warm up

Check out the LSU Tigers as they perform a dymanic stretch and warm out that you can add to your training.

Med/Physio 'ball' Push ups

Get on the ball! Regular floor push ups are a standard body weight exercise that athletes have been doing for years. Jump start your body weight push ups by adding 'balls' into the mix.

Start out by placing your feet on a physio ball, and then both of your hands on two medicine balls. With your body stable and chest off of the ground, begin your push ups in a smooth, controlled manner.

Here are some tips to follow:

• keep your abs tight to control your torso from swaying
• "grip" the balls with your finger tips, keeping the wobbling to a minimum
• maintain a straight position from the top of your head to your feet--don't arch or curve your body

Start out with about 4-6 sets of 10-12 reps, then increase incrementally from there. As you progress, add these variations:

1. Instead of two hands on the ball, place both hands on one ball
2. Place one hand on ball, one on the floor, with feet on physio ball
3. Perform the push ups with feet on floor, and both hands either on the medicine balls, or the physio ball

Ball push ups are a great way to combine the use of strength exercises with core, stability and balance training. Add balls to the mix to create workouts that are challenging in order to make your sports performance even better!

Train----like the Pros!

Great athletes have a combination of good genetics, coupled with an incredible work ethic. Today's professional athlete realizes the significance of performance based conditioning for maximum results.

Check out the vids below to see what NFL QB Peyton Manning does in the off season to be successful during the regular season.